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The fair dates back more than 700 years. The consensus among historians is that the fair probably started just after 1284, when the Charter of King Edward I referred to city fairs in Nottingham.[1] The Goose Fair was cancelled due to the bubonic plague in 1646 and again during the two World Wars in the 20th century. 1927 was the last year it was held in Old Market Square in Nottingham City Centre; it was then moved to the Forest Recreation Ground because of redevelopment of the Square.

The Goose Fair started as a trade event and enjoyed a reputation for its high-quality cheese, although it is now known for its rides and games.[citation needed] Its name is derived from the thousands of geese that were driven from Lincolnshire to be sold in Nottingham.

Originally, the fair was held on 21 September, but in 1752, with the change to the Gregorian calendar, it moved to early October. The duration of the fair was shortened from eight days to three days in the 1800s.

Nottingham Goose Fair is considered by most to be one of the most prestigious fairs in the UK.[citation needed] However, in recent years, the dates of the fair have created a problem, as it now overlaps with the Hull Fair. Some of the top rides from the Goose Fair therefore have to travel directly from Nottingham to Hull, not opening at Hull until around the fourth day of the fair. This was averted for 2013 by having Hull Fair start a week later than usual.

It is now held at the Forest Recreation Ground. After the turn of the 21st century its length was increased again to four days, for the 700th anniversary, and was kept like this afterwards. For 2006, the fair increased to five days with the addition of limited opening hours on the Sunday afternoon. However it proved unprofitable to open on the Sunday, so this was not repeated in 2007 although it was opened for 5 days again from 2009.

Goose Fair has been seldom affected by violence, but in 2004, a girl, Danielle Beccan, 14, was fatally shot as she walked home from the Goose Fair through the St. Ann's estate, over a mile from the fair.[2] Following the murder, The Guardian reported that the Goose Fair period was traditionally a time of tension between rival groups, but Danielle herself was not in a gang.[3] Two people were convicted of the murder.[4]